As I’ve previously described, East Asian Medicine connects each season to its own organ, emotion, and element. As autumn begins, I wanted to discuss the lung, which is at its energetic peak during this season. In our medicine the lung is vital for healthy immunity but is involved in so many other areas of health.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lung has several functions including:

• Warms the muscles and surface (of the body) which aids in healthy circulation
• Harmonizes the opening and closing action of the surface pores (which is important both for immunity and fluid metabolism, allowing us to release sweat and pathogens when the pores open, or keep pathogens out when they are closed)
• Moistens the body hair and the skin
• Produces the voice

The lung is also said to be “the upper source of water” which “sends forth the hundred pulses”. This means it propels the blood and nutrients around the body, and is just as important for healthy circulation as the heart. It is said that “The lung controls the qi” and “Qi is the commander of blood; if qi moves, blood moves”. All information in quotations comes from classic texts.

Simple Tips for Lung Health:

Try This Breathing Exercise: credit given to Sharon Weizenbaum, LAc who described this exercise/visualization in her online class on Breath.

On the inhale, visualize your body filling from your perineum up to your heart. Feel your pores close and expand your lower abdomen.

On the exhale, allow your body to empty out by draining out through the pores and through the openings below. Feel your bladder relax. Allow the exhale to be longer than the inhale.

For some other ideas on breathing exercises, I like this article in Scientific American.

Breathe only through your nose whenever you can! While I don’t see it as the cure-all that many people do, I feel there’s definitely something to nose breathing! Breathing through your nose helps to warm, moisten and “filter” the air as it enters your body (via trapping dust and pathogens in nasal hairs and secretions).Many ancient practices including yoga espouse nose breathing (alternate nostril breathing exercises as well as proper breathing during the movements).

Some people (including myself) have taken to taping their mouths closed at night during sleep (please only try this if you have no other medical conditions and have clearance from your doctor to try it). Whether or not you’re into this idea, throughout the day notice whether you breathe with your mouth open or closed. You can also experiment with breathing only through your nose while exercising.

Protect Your Lungs: In East Asian Medicine, pathogens (such as cold viruses) are said to enter the body most often through the pores at the nape of the neck. Therefore it’s recommended to wear a scarf, especially in cooler or breezy weather.

Eat Warm, Cooked Foods: In our medicine, cold, raw foods require more digestive energy to break down. It’s wiser to conserve this energy so that we can stay warm and our immune system has plenty of energy.